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wineanddinosaur · 4 years

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12 Things You Should Know About 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

The small, unassuming Indiana town of Munster plays host to one of the most sought-after breweries in the world: 3 Floyds Brewing Co. Founded by three members of the Floyd family, the brewery has made a name for itself over the last 24 years with extreme beers that rarely use extreme ingredients.

Names like Zombie Dust, Gumballhead, Lazersnake, and Dreadnaught adorn beers that run the gamut from goofy, fuzzy cartoon characters to bloodied horror villains and steel-plated barbarians you could picture Arnold Schwarzenegger playing in an ‘80s movie. All of them packing a punch of aggressive hops not expected from Midwestern brewers. That doesn’t mean beer fans aren’t extremely aware of them: In fact, many are clamoring to find them since distribution is limited to a handful of states. Dark Lord, the brewery’s cult-inspiring Russian imperial stout, sells out so quickly on the day it’s released, it doesn’t even make it to bars or bottle shops.

Elusive and extraordinary, yet decidedly dorky, 3 Floyds has all the ingredients you’d need for a legendary tale. Here are 12 more details of its fabled story.

3 Floyds is hard to come by.

3 Floyds is located in a suburban town about 27 miles outside Chicago, and its beer is available in just seven states. Despite this, 3 Floyds is the largest brewery in the state of Indiana — and one of the top craft breweries in the country.

In 2018, it appeared on the Brewers Association’s list of the top 50 craft brewing companies at No. 39. When the most recent list was released in 2020, the brewery moved up to No. 31, edging out Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. In August 2020, 3 Floyds announced it would expand distribution into New York. Now 3 Floyds has even more runway to keep on growing.

It’s been ranked the best brewery in the world — five times.

Each year, RateBeer releases a list of the best breweries in the world as ranked by fan reviews on its website. In 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, 3 Floyds earned the top spot on that list. In 2008, it slipped to second place behind De Struise, a small Belgian brewer also known for its extreme beer styles.

In the years since, 3 Floyds has regularly appeared on consumer lists: On Untappd, 3 Floyds ranks in the top 20 regional breweries in the U.S., and its Zombie Dust IPA stands as one of the top-rated beers on BeerAdvocate, at No. 36 out of 250, with over 10,000 ratings. It’s pretty safe to say people really like 3 Floyds.

Why Indiana? Because it was cheap.

When 3 Floyds Brewing first opened in 1996, it operated out of an old auto garage. According to Nick Floyd, 5,000 square feet cost him $500 per month in rent in Indiana. That’s why he opened the brewery in a small town 30 miles outside Chicago.

Nick Floyd, who had attended Siebel Institute in Chicago to learn how to brew, launched the brewery with his father, Mike, and brother, Simon. Their first beers were brewed on a system they describe as “Frankenstein.” It combined a Canfield’s cola tank with wok burners and Swiss cheese fermenters salvaged from a scrapyard in Wisconsin.

3 Floyds beers have bite.

Alpha King, the brewery’s flagship beer, came to life as a homebrew concoction in Nick Floyd’s basement. The beer exemplifies the brewery’s philosophy on brewing: Extreme without breaking the rules of the German beer law, which says beer can only be made with four standard ingredients. So while brewers only use hops, barley, water, and yeast to craft Alpha King, this American Pale Ale still features an over-the-top citrus snap hidden just behind the caramel malt flavors. According to Nick Floyd, when the beer first arrived in Chicago bars, guests would send it back because they thought it was too hoppy.

3 Floyds beer is brewed in and with heavy metal.

Heavy metal and fantasy themes weave through everything the brewery does. From the design on the bottles, which feature armored humanoids, crowned skulls, and other menacing scenes (each created by local artists credited on the brewery’s website), to brewing and even the events hosted at the brewery, the heavy metal influence is clear. Nick Floyd, along with longtime employee Barnaby Struve and brewmaster Chris Boggess, are heavy into the heavy metal scene. They listen to bands like Slayer and Black Sabbath while they brew, according to Boggess.

The fermentation tanks at 3 Floyds Brewing are like members of the team and each gets its own name. Some of them are named for fantasy or sci-fi works, like “Blood Gorgon” from the miniature war game, Warhammer 40,000 and “Prometheus” inspired by the Ridley Scott movie. The tank named C-5 even features an illustration of Conan the Barbarian’s sword.

It’s extremely collaborative.

Since 2010, 3 Floyds Brewing has collaborated with heavy metal bands to craft unique beers. The Creeper, a doppelbock, came out in 2010 and was brewed with the band Pelican to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Beers have also been crafted with help from Mastodon, Skeletonwitch, Exodus, and Amon Amarth. The connection to music is so strong for 3 Floyds that it even worked with a record store in Chicago called Reckless Records.

Wizardry is behind 3 Floyds’ wicked brews.

Alongside the badassery of brewing extreme beers, regular Dungeons and Dragons games at Nick Floyd’s house also helped shape the brewery’s style and ethos. Characters used in beer label designs, as well as names of beers, have a dungeon-mastery ring to them — the demon knight grimacing on the Alpha King label, for example, or Barbarian Haze IPA, which has a hint of Conan the Barbarian to it. Nick Floyd even refers to himself as a “wizard-metal” CEO (translation: extremely geeky CEO).

3 Floyds has a sweet side.

While 3 Floyds generally held to traditional brewing ingredients, the brewers broke the mold when they developed Dark Lord, a Russian imperial stout brewed with coffee, Mexican vanilla, and Indian sugar. Nick Floyd got the idea for the beer after hearing about a nearby brewery that repeatedly won awards for its barrel-aged brews. He knew he could do it better, according to 3 Floyds lore, and, well, he was right.

Every Dark Lord has its day.

After it was first brewed in 2002, Dark Lord grew in popularity immediately. By 2004, the brewery was hosting an event on the beer’s release date and fans from all over the country traveled to the brewery to get their own bottle.

Dark Lord Day evolved into a festival that brought together thousands of beer fans with a lineup of heavy metal bands and breweries across the country, such as Burial Beer, Half Acre Beer, and TRVE Brewing. The event grew so large that in 2011, 3 Floyds capped the number of tickets sold at 6,000.

There’s magic powder in Zombie Dust. Or is those Citra hops?

When it first arrived in 2010, Zombie Dust offered something beer geeks weren’t entirely familiar with yet: A big citra hop sting. The beer, a single-hop pale ale that featured both the fruity and bitter qualities of Citra, took advantage of a brand new hop. Citra only became commercially available to breweries in 2007 and prior to Zombie Dust, no one had really used it to its full potential. 3 Floyds knew what to do.

Like it often does, 3 Floyds drew out the bitter notes of the hop but cut the intensity with the fruity notes as well. Add to that a collaboration with comic book pros and the beer caught the attention of not only beer geeks — but comics geeks, too. This only added to the beer’s popularity, inspiring all geeks to hunt Zombie Dust down wherever they could find it.

3 Floyds distills spirits, too.

An expansion that began in 2014 included a five-story distillery that would allow 3 Floyds to take the long-awaited step of making whiskey. For years, Nick Floyd had wanted to distill the grains of 3 Floyds beers, including Dark Lord. By 2016, longtime brewer Abby Titcomb was training to become the head distiller.

When the distillery officially opened in June of 2019, it was serving up “Not Normal” spirits, including gin, rum, and aquavit. The lineup also included a whiskey not yet aged in barrels. Eventually, the aged version of that whiskey (aged 17 months in barrels) would be released to fans as well. Among the other not normal offerings, BüstHedd Akvavit combines distilled grains with a bit of spice (caraway seed, dill, fennel, and cinnamon) and White VVitch Gin puts a twist on the traditionally juniper spirit with the addition of ginger and peppercorn.

3 Floyds has a comic book.

Friend of the brewery Brian Azzarello happens to be a veteran comic book writer. He created the noir-style comic “100 Bullets” and wrote a run of “Wonder Woman” during his time in the comics world. In 2018, he teamed up with Nick Floyd and Simon Bisley, a British illustrator with an appropriately metal style, to create a comic book inspired by 3 Floyds beers.

The story follows an Indiana brewer (sound familiar?) who transforms into “Alpha King” in an alternate reality and takes on a villain by the name of Rice King. The tongue-in-cheek humor pits the hero against a warlord who represents big, macro breweries (that use a lot of rice in their beers). It’s accompanied by pretty gory illustrations. And there may even be a follow-up comic with a new writer.

The article 12 Things You Should Know About 3 Floyds Brewing Co. appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/three-floyds-brewing-guide/

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johnboothus · 4 years

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12 Things You Should Know About 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Elusive and extraordinary, yet decidedly dorky, 3 Floyds has all the ingredients you’d need for a legendary tale. Here are 12 more details of its fabled story.

3 Floyds is hard to come by.

It’s been ranked the best brewery in the world — five times.

Why Indiana? Because it was cheap.

3 Floyds beers have bite.

3 Floyds beer is brewed in and with heavy metal.

It’s extremely collaborative.

Wizardry is behind 3 Floyds’ wicked brews.

3 Floyds has a sweet side.

Every Dark Lord has its day.

There’s magic powder in Zombie Dust. Or is those Citra hops?

3 Floyds distills spirits, too.

3 Floyds has a comic book.

The article 12 Things You Should Know About 3 Floyds Brewing Co. appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/three-floyds-brewing-guide/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/12-things-you-should-know-about-3-floyds-brewing-co

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travelguideworldtour-blog · 5 years

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Hamburg Travel Guide – Tips for Visiting Hamburg

Hamburg Travel Guide

Hamburg is a city that represents one of sixteen Lands of Germany. The city is located on the bank of the Elba River near the Northern Sea. Hamburg is the second largest city of Germany after Berlin and the seventh largest city in whole European Union. Moreover, this is the most populated city of Europe that is not a capital. In 2008 the population of Hamburg estimated 1 773 218 people. Besides its own flag and emblem, Hamburg has its own hymn. This is very rare for cities.

Best Things to Do in Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie has been the biggest populated construction at over 100 meters of Hamburg. Despite its dimensions, the endeavor from Herzog & de Meuron includes a light quality, and its own profile was compared to the sails of even a quartz crystal or a boat, waves. On this facade are approximately 1000 windows that are curved, also towards the very best an observation deck and cafe that is glossy both available to people. The fantastic Concert Hall includes space for 2,100 audiences of course that you owe it to yourself to listen to that the Elbphilharmonie Orchestra play one of the most acoustical places when you like music.

St Pauli

St Pauli is likely to soon be quite a rude awakening In the event you begin hoping that a corporate district. The quarter east of descending and the guts to the Elbe is rough around the edges along with also daubed in neon and graffiti. The Reeperbahn is well known, along with also its own particular pornography shops, a parade of strip nightclubs and prostitutes need mention. However, you might not have more fun at a particular date on this particular street, no matter St Pauli ambiance, and also your preference in music which makes it an excellent place.

Hamburg Rathaus

Hamburg’s city hall can be as stirring as they have come, also reflects generosity and the wealth of a Germany towards the conclusion of this 19thcentury. The structure to the facade is Neo-Renaissance, and also the tower at the center adheres to 112 meters. There are exhibits indoors, which can be free to view and also you’re able to proceed right to the courtyard, that includes a fountain. Or you may pay a fee and choose an hourlong tour. The inner comprises more of a Historicist design as a new room was discovered from the tower at 1971, plus a few of its points would be that the number of chambers indoors: 647 at the very final count.

Speicherstadt

Work began to get its port when Hamburg combined the habits zone in 1888. Storage centers were constructed and residential quarters around the Zollkanal have removed also a Gothic structure on oak piles. Shielded as a World Heritage Site, Town or the Speicherstadt of Warehouses comes with a feeling all of its own, which is enough to walk through those canyons, crossing the canals and scattering the ribbon that is glistening onto the facades. A number of the warehouses have been changed into flats, and the others are guest attractions, even while their purpose still fills, keeping coffee, tea, coffee, and spices.

Kunsthalle Hamburg

A walk from the Hauptbahnhof, between Außenalster and also your Binnenalster, is among the largest and wealthiest museums of Germany. It’s no exaggeration to state that the Kunsthalle has enough to keep you under its charm for a day: There are masters such as Goya, Rembrandt, Rubens, Lucas Cranach younger and Canaletto. Subsequently, Max Liebermann, Caspar David Friedrich, Manet, Degas, and Gauguin are a Few of the luminaries from the gallery. Stepping into the gallery and artwork that is modern the titles keep coming, such as Francis Bacon, Paul Klee, Kirchner Picasso, Moving Forward to Tracey Emin, Warhol, and Joseph Beuys.

HafenCity

HafenCity can be. Founded on land at the Elbe, HafenCity will continue to grow producing houses for occupations and 12,000 people to get as much as 40,000. Already a chunk of this interface was regenerated, and away from the legacy quarter that the structure is cutting-edge and creative. Think apartment complexes glistening office cubes and leisure conveniences, all equipped to their waterfront location with panache and sensitivity. Up to now, the sight would be.

Planten un Blomen

Planten un Blomen, 4-7 hectares of botanical plantations and lawns, gardens, ponds, greenhouses are going to be next to the top In the event that you had to create a set of the best parts of Europe. From the green folds of the park may be. Allow time for you to poke the five greenhouses: the greatest, the Schaugewächshaus contains plants from Mediterranean climes and comprises lavender trees, palms, and laurels. Just could be teeming with succulent plants out of desert climates, that your Kakteenhaus. Away from the park in summer, once the garden is in blossom, the apothecary is fragrant and the musical viewer injects magical into the spectacle.

Jungfernstieg

At Hamburg’s industrial and dynamic center, Jungfernstieg can be really just actually a waterfront promenade in the Binnenlaster. The name arises from a historical heritage of wealthy Hanseaten families parading their unwed daughters (Jungfern) for eligible bachelors. Landward you can find shops and flagship shops just such as the Alsterhaus in Historicist structures and neoclassical. Begin to see the white arcade which outlines the Kleine Alster off into the other side, built at the exact center of the 19thcentury. Fronting that the Binnenlaster is actually just a patio where you are able to bask in sunlight in summer check out the waterjet or tuck to a cafe and coffee (Kopenhagener or even Franzbrötchen) in the glass Alster Pavillion.

Außenalster

A little bit of information about Hamburg is this one city has more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam and London combined. A number of the cross over the tangle of rivers and canals which feed into this lake’s end at their city’s midpoint. The beaches of this Außenalster, separated out of the Binnenalster that is more compact by the Kennedy Bridge, are just one park. Joggers arrive at squeeze into their morning practice and friends match for coffee at a few of the kiosks and pubs on the banks. Rivers at the top components of the lake and All those canals float through the most quarters of Hamburg. You’re going to have the ability to employ a kayak or rowboat in Osterbekkanal to navigate the entire city at away when the weather hot.

Treppenviertel Blankenese

Catch the S Bahn or ferry into the quaint neighborhood ten km from town center above the bank of the Elbe. Treppenviertel literally means”Stairs Quarter” and that is where this area’s allure comes in. That the Treppenviertel is actually really just insanity of winding alleys, interlinked by stairways and surrounded by exquisite houses. These accumulate to a lot significantly more than 5,000 steps, and also do not be shocked if interest leads one to walk all of them until you’ve got to prevent for refreshment beside your Elbe. The Blankenese is among those places in the lake.

When to visit in Hamburg

Summer strikes at Hamburg and departs in September. Between the weeks, then you can get fine sight-seeing requirements (and fantastic weather for sanctuary cruises). The beer gardens by the lake will likely probably be filled, and street festivals would soon probably be ubiquitous. April and May might possibly be better, together using room prices and more silent museums and museums, if you’d like a vacation. Xmas is a significant event in Germany, therefore breaks could function.

Where to shop in Hamburg

For designer stores, go in Hamburg, Grosse Bleichen and Neuer Jungfernstieg Wall and Ufer Strasse. Home the shops, less costly shopping roads, are Mönckebergstrasse and Spitalstrasse.

Department Shops

ALSTERHAUS

Hamburg, jungfernstieg 16 20. Alsterhaus, found in Hamburg using a few of the very prestigious shopping streets, is a newly renovated buying place. The section store stocks everything from makeup by Acqua di Parma to fashion from China and Max Mara. Open Monsat.

HANSE VIERTEL

Hamburg, poststrasse 3 3. Even the Hanse Viertel Galerie is a number 200m full of boutiques and long – for example Falke Lacoste and Stefanel – and also a scattering of. Open Monsat.

Fashion

ESCADA

Neuer Wall 32, Hamburg. Wolfgang and Margaretha Ley, created Escada, a style tag in 1976, also was famous for its collections and perfumes.

JIL SANDER

Neuer Wall 43, Hamburg. The Hamburg shop of Italian style house Jil Sander is delightfully a trip in the event that you fail to spend the money on clothes. The decoration is white, black and grey, and compliments the clothes.

THOMAS-I-PUNKT

Hamburg, hardenstrasse 9. A look Thomas-i-Punkt, for a crowd, sells clothes and coaches to accommodate people and boys.

Foods You Must Try While Visiting Hamburg

Fischbrötchen

The fish roster that is humble is a bite. The sandwich is normally created using pickled herring (bismarckhering) or soused herring (matjes), a few onions, pickles along with remoulade sauce. However, the options are as varied because the food racks which provide them. You might get North Sea fish or fish patty, fish or crabmeat. The fischbrötchen tastes better when eaten while enjoying views of the North Seas or the River Elbe’s end on the mind.

Finkenwerder Scholle

This fish dish is named. Plaice (Scholle) is roasted or pan-fried with onions, tomatoes, and beans out of the North Sea. Plaice is among the very often eaten seeds in Northern Germany, also was the important component in chips and fish. Plaice is now rare in oceans, however, walk across the roads of Finkenwerder Nowadays, and you’ll discover restaurants.

Labskaus

Look no farther than labskaus, if you would like to sample sailor and seamen fare. This dish is created using herring gherkin, beetroot and egg functioned as sides, of beef, mashed potatoes and onions. Variations with the meal are served even and over Scandinavia yet in Liverpool, UK, where it’s referred to as’scouse’. The labskaus isn’t anything but a dish, however, dare to dig, along with your preferences will thank you.

Grünkohl

During winter months, kale — famous as grünkohl in Western — is traditionally served over North Germany in a way unsuited as a super-food. Kale is stewed for hours and served against all the sides of fried or boiled potatoes, in addition to kinds of sausage. The carrot season starts following the initial winter and is distinguished by sets of colleagues or friends performing a ‘kohlfahrt’ — an excursion that is cabbage literally. They walk for hours playing with drinking matches and finish your day at a restaurant by simply dancing before dawn and ingestion too because their bellies may hold.

Aalsuppe

This Hamburg eel soup’s recipe goes back into a feast from 1788. A few asserts that dish contained no eel, however, has been made out of legumes. Nowadays, this soup is traditionally cooked together with vegetable beef, meat broth fresh fruit, and dumplings, in addition to some eel. A few assert the latter was inserted to avoid disappointing and confusing that the city guests. The soup is served as a major route.

Rote Grütze

Once you’re finished sampling the fish and meat dishes, then treat your self as an instance, with the cooked out of summer tomatoes and served with vanilla sauce, milk or ice cream. The Danes attracted to the spot this dish, however, has turned into a staple of the cuisine. While red is the shade of this fresh fruit dish varieties may be seen on several restaurant and café selections.

Franzbrötchen

There is A community specialty your franzbrötchen. You may not get these sweet beers that can be made out of cinnamon, somewhere else in Hamburg and its neighboring cities and a great deal of butter. Because the story goes, the croissant introduced throughout the job of Napoleon’s troops motivated their invention. Traditionally made with cinnamon and sugar, now bakeries provide you various kinds of franzbrötchen, such as with pumpkin seeds or marzipan, chocolate bits.

Hamburg Travel Guide – Tips for Visiting Hamburg

#Best Places Hamburg #Best Things to do Hamburg #Hamburg best places #Hamburg Tips #Hamburg Travel #Hamburg Travel Guide

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trancecreator · 7 years

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Downtown Austin Apartments For Rent

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

The stunning Texas Capitol towers over the landscape of Downtown Austin, quite possibly the hottest neighborhood in one of America’s favorite cities. Austin’s truly legendary nightlife scene is certainly not restricted to the famous 6th Street, although this particular Downtown thoroughfare definitely has its share of noteworthy watering holes. Live music is an integral element of the city, and nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown, where stages and venues of every description kick out a variety of tunes every night of the week. And of course, living in Downtown Austin comes with the benefit of one of America’s best selections of food, from exceptional local favorites like barbecue and Tex-Mex to eclectic food trucks and exotic international fare.

From a more practical standpoint, living in Downtown Austin puts you right at the heart of the city’s thriving business and government centers, meaning that many locals live near enough to walk or bike to work. The University of Texas campus sits just north of Downtown, making it an excellent location for students, faculty, and collegiate staff, as well as folks who want to be within walking distance of Longhorns home games.

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,595 for a studio, $2,125 for one bedroom, $3,234 for two bedrooms, and $5,975 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The downtown neighborhood provides hungry locals with dining options for all tastes and budgets. Participate in a traditional Austin Sunday brunch at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, and feast on Southern comfort food. Be prepared for a wait, as locals show up in droves for the fried chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, and green chile macaroni. Head to Koriente for a quick, healthy dinner, and order the pan-seared ahi tuna served over a bed of greens, bell peppers and rice. This family-owned Asian fusion eatery prides itself on supplying Austin with fresh ingredients and affordable meals, and you can customize any dish with gluten-free and vegetarian substitutions. Join the late-night masses at the Kebabalicious food trailer for a perfectly hearty meal to end an eventful night out at the bars. Treat yourself to the beef or lamb kebab or a falafel wrap with tzatziki sauce, and don’t forget to add the feisty feta.

Enjoy world-famous barbecue at Franklin, where you can buy brisket and ribs by the pound. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin the "Best BBQ" in the country, so you’ll definitely want to add this BBQ joint to your must-visit list when you move to Austin. If you have room, end your meal with a slice of pecan pie.

Austinites swarm downtown at night and on the weekends, with varying bar scenes depending on your mood. The famous 6th Street nightlife scene attracts a crowd as bars line both sides of the street, which closes off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only area on weekend nights. For a more laid-back vibe, make your way to Rainey Street, where you can find charming cottages that have turned into eclectic bars. Order a local beer at Icenhauer’s, where it feels like you’re sitting in the backyard of a friend’s house. Tucked away on a quiet side street, the Firehouse Lounge & Hostel serves craft cocktails in a secretive speakeasy setting. Enter the hidden bar by opening the sliding bookcase in the hostel lobby.

The Red River district revolves around live music, and music venues large and small line the streets. Catch a show any night of the week at the Mohawk, revered by locals, where you can see anyone from big musicians to obscure indie bands of all genres.

The city of Austin was born in this neighborhood. The streets maintain the same grid-like format designed by the first governing officials, and historic buildings have retained their original architecture along Congress Avenue. Following the establishment of the University of Texas and the state Capitol, Austin became a hub for education, politics, and commerce during the 1900s. The city has skyrocketed in size and population, with downtown being the thriving heartbeat of its economy and culture.

Tour the monumental Texas State Capitol, and witness government legislature in action. Hear the stories of Texas’ people at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and celebrate the Día de Los Muertos festival at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The annual SxSW festival showcases the latest in film, tech and music from around the world at hundreds of venues downtown, including the Austin Convention Center and the live music joints on Red River Street.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Austin, locals scuttle about their busy days commuting to work or running errands nearby. Parking can be hard to come by during business hours and on weekend evenings, and you have to pay for your spot with the exception of Mondays through Wednesdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Hailing a cab should be a breeze, but on those crowded weekend nights, ordering an Uber ride could be more efficient than searching for an open taxi. Locals also use Car2Go, a network of Smart cars that members can rent throughout the city and park anywhere for free.

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Exercise caution when biking downtown, as traffic can be quite hectic at times, although bike lanes do exist on many roads. The main north-south freeways in Austin sandwich downtown, with I-35 on the eastern side and Mopac Loop 1 to the west.

Downtown’s cost of living rests at 22 percent above Austin’s average. Housing in this area can be very expensive, with an average rental rate of $2,165 for a one-bedroom residence. A single ride on the bus costs $1.25, and a day pass runs $2.50. As opposed to housing, beer turns out to be relatively affordable for a big city, at about $5 for a pint, with most places offering happy-hour discounts. Gas prices in this neighborhood tend to fall about 9 percent below the national average.

Austinites classify downtown as a shopper’s paradise thanks to high-end boutiques, chain retailers and quirky local shops that embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Check out Toy Joy with some friends, and find virtually any nostalgic toy you can remember, or just stare in amazement at the selection of oddball trinkets and games. This legendary toy shop has been around since the 1980s and has relocated to the 2nd Street District, the contemporary nucleus of downtown shopping. Locals consider BookPeople, which showcases both modern and classic authors of all genres, to be more of a destination than a bookstore. Staff picks appear on the shelves to guide readers, and the community gathers here to attend frequent book signings by well-known authors.

A few small, urban markets owned by Royal Blue Grocery dot the area. Part convenience store with prepared foods and part grocery store with fresh produce, this upscale vendor opens early and closes late to accommodate the needs of downtown dwellers. The flagship Whole Foods Market resides in the downtown neighborhood, and its in-house café, bar, wine cellar, cooking classes and rooftop events make it much more than your average grocery store. Stock up on locally farmed fruits and vegetables at the SFC Farmers’ Market at 4th & Guadalupe every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the southern edge of downtown, the highlight of outdoor recreation in Austin revolves around Ladybird Lake, where locals stave off the heat by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Take your dog for a walk along the public Hike and Bike Trail, and enjoy scenic views of the skyline and river. Play disc golf with the family at the Auditorium Shores field, which also hosts the hip music and comedy festival Fun Fun Fun Fest and numerous SxSW music showcases. Republic Square Park serves as a green escape amid a sea of tall buildings, holding a free outdoor movie series in the summer put on by the Alamo Drafthouse. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over the historical square to kick off its festivities each spring, and free Yoga in the Park occurs every Wednesday during the spring and fall.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

Rent Trends

Ratings Living in Downtown

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

Rent Trends

Ratings Living in Downtown

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,603 for a studio, $2,119 for one bedroom, $3,240 for two bedrooms, and $5,966 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.0% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Source Article

The post Downtown Austin Apartments For Rent appeared first on TRANCE CREATOR.

Read full post at: http://www.trancecreator.com/downtown-austin-apartments-for-rent/

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miamibeerscene · 7 years

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Lone Tree Brewing Releases 2017 Cranberry Saison

September 6, 2017

LONE TREE, CO — Returning for the second year is Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Cranberry Saison in 22-ounce bombers. This beer will be available while supplies last on shelves across Colorado and in select liquor stores in Kansas. Cranberry Saison belongs to Lone Tree’s Branching Out Series of experimental, limited quantity beers in large format bottles.

Cranberry Saison is a Belgian-style farmhouse ale that was aged with fresh cranberry puree. Effervescent and sightly tart, and deceiving 8.5 percent ABV, this refreshing beer is perfect for sipping long past the dog days of summer and well into autumn at the Thanksgiving table.

The Lone Tree Branching Out series includes India Pale Lager that came out earlier this summer, English Old Ale, Triple IPA, and Horchata Stout that will come out later this year, and the spring seasonal Bier de Printemps.

For more information about Cranberry Saison, or with any other media inquiries about Lone Tree, contact Emily Hutto at [email protected].

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

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Company: RadCraft Contact: Emily Hutto Email: [email protected]

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The Coffee Lover’s Guide To Barcelona

A poc a poc, meaning “little by little,” is one of Barcelona’s favorite Catalan expressions, and it perfectly characterizes the way the specialty coffee scene is slowly emerging in the Mediterranean city. Known for world-class gastronomy, unique art, and an exceptional quality of life, Barcelona leaves few things to be desired. Yet, until very recently, if Barcelona were to receive low marks in one particular area—good coffee was definitely it.

Indeed, until about two years ago, the specialty coffee lover could count their options on one hand. Today, however, the city seems to finally be catching up with its European counterparts like Berlin and London, as new coffee shops are popping up every few weeks, and events such as the Independent Barcelona Coffee Festival and CoLab: Barcelona are raising Barcelona specialty coffee’s profile nationally and internationally.

The growth is a credit to the hard work of Barcelona’s coffee community—a small group of highly dedicated (sometimes obsessed) professionals, who have spent years working abroad in the coffee industry, have won Spanish and international barista/roasting championships, or who grew up immersed in their family’s coffee businesses. And while appreciation for specialty coffee is increasing, Barcelona is still a city where it pays to do your coffee homework, as the average cafe will still serve you a cheap cup of burnt robusta beans. But as bad as the bad coffee can be, the good coffee is equally remarkable. If you pay a visit to the places on this list, expect thoughtfully roasted coffees, talented baristas who take their craft seriously, and a community of coffee professionals ready to engage with you and the rest of the coffee world.

Cafés El Magnifico

Your first destination in Barcelona should be Cafés El Magnifico, which you’ll find amidst the charming Gothic backstreets and boutiques of the Born neighborhood. To fully understand anything in Barcelona, you need to place it in historical context, and there’s no better place to understand the history of Spanish coffee than at El Magnifico. Pioneers of the specialty coffee industry in Barcelona, El Magnifico is a third-generation family business that has seen the Spanish coffee industry through the Spanish Civil War, the dictatorship, national financial crises, and more.

“My father was born on this street,” El Magnifico’s owner Salvador Sans, tells me as we walk from their small main shop in the Born to their business office across the street, where the majority of their coffee is now roasted in the 30-kilogram roaster that allows them to meet growing national demand. Their success is due to their focus on the science and art of quality coffee that quietly speaks for itself and provides an accessible pleasure to the average Barcelonian.

Magnifico boasts a charming location, an excellent selection of coffees from around the world, and a very knowledgeable staff to advise you on each of the coffees they sell. However, like many coffee venues in Barcelona, what they do not have (at their flagship cafe, anyway) is seating. If you’d like to enjoy your coffee and linger for a while, you should plan a visit on a weekend when their sister store and education space, El Mag, is open just around the corner in a stylish boutique space.

At either store, you can enjoy a variety of espresso-based drinks or filter-based methods as well as Cafè Fred, a local cold brew made from Magnifico’s coffee. If you have the option, Sans’ favorites include the Kenya Nyeri, Colombia Colamina, or the Chelbesa from Ethiopia.

Cafés El Magnficio has multiple locations. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Satan’s Coffee Corner

Despite the name, owner Marcos Bartolomé assures me that he is fine with Jesus. “I had some very concerned, well-meaning Christians from the US come to visit me once,” he tells me. He also confirms that he does indeed like babies, but enforces a strict no stroller rule at Satan’s, because of the way they congest the movement in his shop.

Despite a series of these type of modern, no-nonsense coffee shop rules (no syrup, no decaf, no special milk, no Wi-Fi), which hang on the wall, setting the tone for arriving customers, Satan’s has become a popular and successful coffee destination for locals and tourists alike.

Indeed, the quality of the coffee, which is roasted locally in small batches by Satan’s local roasting partner Right Side Coffee, will probably make you forget any momentary discomfort. Bartolomé, who comes from a well-established coffee roasting family in Spain’s La Rioja region, has a purist’s approach to coffee that has defined Satan’s since 2012, when Bartolomé’s original takeaway corner opened in the El Raval neighborhood.

Marcos Bartolomé

Nowadays, there’s plenty of space to sit down and enjoy a batch filter brew, V60, Kalita, or espresso from the La Marzocco Linea PB, and pair it with some healthy food (or even a Bloody Mary) in the light-filled modern shop located just behind the cathedral in the Gothic Quarter. In addition, Satan’s expanded last year to add a second location at Casa Bonay, one of Barcelona’s most beautiful boutique hotels in the Eixample neighborhood.

Satan’s Coffee Corner has multiple locations. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Nømad Coffee

The story of specialty coffee’s arrival in Barcelona can’t be told without Nømad Coffee, which was started by Barcelona native Jordi Mestre in 2014. After several years at Nude Espresso in London, Mestre had become a talented barista, roaster, and even had operated a mobile coffee operation—thus the Nømad name—before returning to Barcelona.

When the former National Barista Champion came home, he had hopes of transforming Barcelona’s coffee scene, and to some extent he already has. In just two years, the Nømad brand has achieved an impressive reputation for its strict emphasis on quality. Nømad is another cafe where you are not going to find special milk, decaf, or even sugar, but this doesn’t bother their loyal following of customers. In addition to their three locations, you will now find Nømad coffee served in restaurants across the city, as well as exported throughout Spain and Europe.

Nømad’s landmark location is its Coffee Lab located in the Passatge de Sert, an out of the way passageway between the Born neighborhood and Plaça de Catalunya. Their roastery in Poblenou opened in 2015 and, as well as being a roastery, holds regular training courses for those wanting to improve their coffee knowledge. Their newest store, called Every Day, opened late last year near La Rambla in the rapidly gentrifying El Raval neighborhood.

The communal table at Nømad Every Day is the perfect place to sit and enjoy your hot coffee or signature cold brew, and while the other two locations have great energy, they’re not as well-suited for settling in for a long stay. Pick up a Barcelona specialty guide and map from one of the cafes on this list—Nømad’s Born and El Raval locations can be difficult to find, but absolutely worth the effort.

Nømad Coffee has multiple locations. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SlowMov

SlowMov is a charming space in the Gràcia neighborhood that is both a coffee roaster and a platform for connecting consumers with local and global producers. Inspired by the Slow Food movement, which focuses on locally grown, fresh produce that respects natural ecosystems, SlowMov does a compelling job of connecting consumers with the farmers who grow their coffee.

The store, which was started in 2015 by Carmen Callizo and Francois Justet, has strong ties to Coutume Café in Paris, where Callizo previously worked, and through whom they continue to source coffees in small lots directly from the farms Coutume visits. The coffee is then brought to Barcelona, where it is roasted on SlowMov’s Giesen W6.

“The coffee revolution is happening on the farms,” Justet tells me, as we sit in their simple, bright, minimalist showroom. “Traceability is the only way for producers to progress, show quality, and become more and more sustainable.”

Carmen Callizo

Indeed, traceability and ecologically sound products are the common threads between the shop’s specialty coffee and other local products. SlowMov has a strong social component, working with the Imperfect Program, which reduces food waste through promoting consumption of “ugly” foods, and by organizing a local colmena platform, which is like a producers’ cooperative, but with less commitment required.

In addition to coffee, SlowMov serves pastries with local, ecological ingredients from Luna Limón and other local pastry shops, as well as sundries like jam, olive oil, juice, fruits, vegetables, wine, and craft beer.

SlowMov is located at Carrer de Luis Antúnez, 18. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Hidden Café

Hidden Café stays true to its name and is secreted off the beaten tourist path in Les Corts, an undiscovered gem of a neighborhood not far from Barcelona’s main Sants train station and the Camp Nou soccer stadium. At Hidden, they pride themselves in doing things a little differently; in addition to their own roasts, you will find well-respected international roasters such as Denmark’s La Cabra Coffee Roasters or France’s Belleville Brûlerie, prepared on a giant Slayer machine.

One feature that makes Hidden unique amongst Barcelona coffee venues is the winning atmosphere they’ve managed to create that pulls you in with great coffee, great music, and a fresh, bright locale that makes you want to take a seat amongst the cacti and industrial décor and stay for a few hours.

Carlos Moral Guerrero, one of the owners, (who loves coffee so much he has the coffee supply chain tattooed on his left arm) explains that they like to let the coffee take center stage. The unassuming location is intentional, as is Hidden’s low-profile marketing strategy, because he prefers to highlight coffee quality rather than be overshadowed by a brand. “Our mission is to diffuse the coffee culture to the public—not to promote ourselves.”

Like many of the stores on this list, Guerrero came to Hidden with a lifetime of experience in coffee (his family owns one of Spain’s largest green coffee traders) as well as deep experience working as a trainer for SCA and experience spending time at origin in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Ethiopia. Continuing the mission of educating the coffee public, Hidden hosts weekly catas or “tastings” and other events such as barista training sessions.

Hidden’s menu includes a wide variety of pour-over and espresso-based options, but if you’re over-caffeinated, try their matcha latte, with matcha which Guerrero’s partner Mateo González sources directly from Japan.

Hidden Café is located at Carrer de Constança esquina Déu i Mata. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Onna Coffee

Onna Coffee (Onna meaning “woman” in Japanese) is a little slice of pura vida in the middle of Barcelona. The owner Anahi Paez, originally from Costa Rica, sources all of the coffee from her native country and roasts it herself at Onna’s nearby roastery.

After coming to Barcelona in 2007, Onna’s first shop was located in a co-working space in the post-industrial neighborhood of El Poblenou, but has recently found its new home in Gràcia, a quintessentially charming Barcelona neighborhood where you still feel like you are in Catalonia, away from the touristy masses.

Paez tells me that there are those customers that come in every day, and it’s easy to see why. “Good coffee, craft care” is Onna’s motto, and it is seen in their attention to detail, friendly baristas, and even a guest book that sits on the coffee station. All of these add to Onna’s good energy and comfortable atmosphere, and as Paez says, “You are the first person they talk to in the morning—that’s a big responsibility.”

“I really want coffee to be perceived as something for everyone,” she continues. “It’s a very humble product, it’s simple, it’s very honest. It brings people together, it generates ideas, people come here to think.”

Lest you think that a cafe serving only Costa Rican coffee might get boring, the cafe prides itself on their many micro-lots and the diversity of their single-origin coffees. The friendly baristas will be more than happy to suggest a new drink for you, or give advice or demonstrations on home brewing at their well-equipped coffee station. The cafe serves a variety of espresso-based and filter brews, and while the milk and sugar options are greater than a few of the other cafes on this list, Paez cautions, “you won’t find decaf at Onna, because decaf doesn’t grow on plants.”

Onna Coffee is located at Carrer de Santa Teresa, 1. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Black Remedy

Black Remedy is something completely different in Barcelona. Somewhere between Second Wave and Third Wave, it feels like Barcelona meets Brooklyn meets Starbucks. With a convenient location in the Gothic area, excellent specialty coffee, and quality homemade food—this is a coffee shop with a business strategy.

The lounge-y music, atmosphere, and service are a good reason to check out Black Remedy if you are looking for something with a slightly more American feel. Along with all of these comforts also comes a slightly more corporate vibe, which is not surprising given that Black Remedy is owned by coffee equipment company Compak, whose main factory is located just outside of Barcelona.

The coffee, however, is completely modern. Espresso drinks are made on a custom Slayer machine with beans from a variety of local roasters including Tusell Tostadores, a local Barcelona roaster who sources beans directly from El Salvador, as well as Right Side and Puchero Coffee Roasters, who are based in Vallodolid. Additionally, there are house-made, cold-pressed juices, sandwiches made with roasted meat that’s smoked daily, and a counter full of pastries. This makes Black Remedy an excellent option for a good brunch, which is not easy to come by in Barcelona.

Black Remedy is located at Carrer de la Ciutat, 5. Visit their official website and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

The charm of the specialty coffee scene in Barcelona is that it is still small enough that those involved work in coffee because they love it—not because of a popular culture that embraces the specialty movement. The result is a delightful mix of stylish coffee shops, great educational opportunities, and a coffee culture that feels like it is just being born and has yet to be fully defined. Like everything else in the Catalan capital, specialty coffee is rapidly changing and will certainly develop into something with a distinct flavor and an independent character—purely itself, and purely Barcelona.

Sara Mason is founder of SHIFT Social Impact Solutions, and a freelance writer based in Barcelona. Read more Sara Mason on Sprudge.

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So Paulo: Insider Travel Guide

(CNN)With all there is to see and do in South America’s largest city, the sheer size of the metropolis often stuns the uninitiated visitor.

Don’t despair — getting to the locations that showcase the best of So Paulo isn’t as hard as it might seem.

While you’re in Brazil anyway … Rio de Janeiro: Insider Travel Guide

Hotels

Luxury

Hotel Fasano

Stepping through the entrance of the Hotel Fasano, you’re transported to the early 20th century, when a hotel experience was geared toward wealthy travelers expecting luxury.

Warm, wooden decor and a grinning bartender convince you that wherever you’d planned to rush off to can wait.

Guest rooms are no less alluring, a mix of modern and ’50s style mod, full of amenities like iPod stations, soaking tubs, towel warmers and panoramic views.

Outside its walls you’ll find all the additional luxuries of So Paulo’s best neighborhood on the famous street, Rua Oscar Freire, and surrounding roads.

Hotel Unique

Architecture critic Paul Goldberger has called Hotel Unique “one of the seven wonders of the modern world.”

Is it a ship? Some kind of space vehicle?

Guests might never figure out what the massive, metallic semi-sphere is meant to be. But inside this best of So Paulo hotel there are plenty of interesting spaces in which to contemplate the question, including poolside on a rooftop deck that overlooks the lovely Jardins area of the city.

Emiliano

If you’re touring So Paulo by helicopter (which is best, considering the traffic), you’re in luck at the Emiliano; this hotel has a private, rooftop helicopter pad.

Staff will arrange for an attendant to unpack your suitcases and a chauffer to drive you around the city.

In house is the Champagne & Caviar Bar and upscale Emiliano Restaurant.

But the hotel is on Rua Oscar Freire, known for its high-end shops and restaurants, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to continue a spree once you walk outside.

Mid-Range

Staybridge Suites So Paulo

Conveniently located in the Brascan Century Plaza, which has a movie theater and a number of restaurants, the Staybridge is close to one of So Paulo’s biggest business districts.

The modern design of the rooms against a backdrop of the city skyline creates a cool, urban feel.

The Staybridge has a gym and outdoor swimming pool (unheated, so beware before you jump in during the surprisingly cold So Paulo winter).

Mercure So Paulo Jardins

This member of the Mercure chain is in Jardins Paulista, close to So Paulo’s best restaurants and stores.

Hotel amenities include a gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna and a business center.

But since you’ll spend most of your time on the streets, it works well as a comfortable place to check your emails and rest your head.

Budget

Ibis Budget So Paulo Paulista

What was formerly the Formule 1 Hotel — built specifically for guest overflow during the Formula 1 season — is now managed by Accor Hotels.

The accommodations are basic, but the Rua da Consolao location means it’s within walking distance of a number of neighborhoods and the subway.

So Paulo is Brazil’s style capital — here’s why

Dining

D.O.M.

“Restaurant” magazine named this sophisticated Brazilian eatery, helmed by chef and author Alex Atala, the sixth best in the world.

Dishes use ingredients unique to Brazil, such as mushrooms from the Amazon and the medicinal beldroega from the Northeast.

These delicacies are best enjoyed in a tasting-menu format so you can sample a maximum amount of flavors.

Make reservations as soon as possible — locals sometimes wait months for a table.

If you don’t score a table at D.O.M., around the corner you’ll find Dalva e Dito, Atala’s other restaurant.

D.O.M., Rua Baro de Capanema, 549, Jardim Paulista; +55 (11) 3088 0761

Vento Haragano

Churrasco is Brazilian barbecue, but churrascarias take this simple concept to an extreme: various cuts and categories of meat are served at your table by an endless (until you end it) parade of wandering waiters.

The prime cut is called picanha (beef) — request it before moving on to other options.

Tip: don’t be too tempted by tapas placed on your table by the restaurant’s crafty staff — save space for the good stuff.

For the meat-averse, Vento Haragano — an obvious best of So Paulo pick — has an extensive salad bar with nearly everything else imaginable, including sushi, fine cheeses and antipastos. The restaurant also has a good selection of wines.

There’s an additional advantage for those traveling with children: a huge second-floor playroom complete with monitores (baby sitters) to keep the kids occupied.

Terrao Itlia

Thanks to the large number of Italian immigrants in town, there’s no lack of cuisine from the country.

What Terrao Itlia has on its competitors in the category, however, is the best view in So Paulo.

From both the 41st-floor restaurant and the 42nd-floor bar you can see a mile past forever while enjoying the restaurant’s Tuscan fare.

A stroll along the walkway outside will show you just how massive the city is.

Mercearia do Conde

The food is as appetizing as the atmosphere.

Mercearia means “grocery” and the establishment started out as a grocery store, then eventually evolved into a full-fledged eatery.

You’ll find both familiar and unfamiliar dishes on the fusion menu. An adventurous start would be the mix de entradas da casa (appetizers of the house) as a preview of the restaurant’s eclectic options.

Feijoada da Lana

Dried meat stew accompanied by beans, rice, the root-based farofa, fried collard greens called couve and sometimes a few slices of orange makes a simple, yet surprisingly delicious meal.

Feijoada da Lana serves a top-of-the-line version of the dish buffet-style, with a variety of complimentary cachaa (sugar-cane liquor) to accompany it.

Meals start with sopa de feijo, a black bean soup to which you can add garlic, green onions, bacon and even a bit of the cachaa.

The restaurant is rustic and offers garden-style seating as well as tables indoors.

Tip: you may find yourself waiting for a seat on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the traditional days for feijoada feasting.

Bar do Man at Mercado Municipal

The mortadella sandwich is a famous So Paulo snack that uses a pile of Italian bologna-type sausage of the same name.

There are a number of places to pick one up at the Mercado Municipal, the city’s largest food market, but the most traditional is at the famous Bar do Man, a best of So Paulo establishment that claims to have been stacking these sandwiches since 1933.

The most popular version is served hot with provolone cheese. It’s customary to drink it with chopp — Brazilian draft beer.

Nightlife

Boteco So Bento

A boteco is a corner bar where you might catch a group of elderly men drinking cachaa at any point during the day.

But in So Paulo, trendy “botecos” have fabulous food, creative caipirinhas (a cocktail made with cachaa and fruit) and live music.

Boteco So Bento is one such establishment that has capitalized on the concept.

It has everything a neighborhood boteco offers, but with more selection and sophistication, and still makes for a great local hangout.

Casa de Francisca

This Jardins home-turned-art-house-music-establishment is low key and cool in the way only a place that caters to old-school, alternative Brazilian jazz can be.

With tiny tables and a limited menu, the focus isn’t on coziness and cuisine (although the food, such as house-made gnocchi, is delicious).

No, when the lights go down and this multi-level space glimmers from its antique chandeliers to its candle-lit table lamps, the mood is beyond luxurious.

Tip: If you can’t secure a reservation, you can try asking about cancellations before they open the doors.

Alberta #3

This bar is named after Bob Dylan’s cover of “Alberta” and the chill mood matches the music honored.

The place transforms from pub to nightclub as the evening rolls on.

You’ll catch the hip, indie Brazilian crowd mellowing out until the dance tunes begin.

This is one of the best places in So Paulo for balada, an all-night party destination for young paulistanos (the demonym given to local residents).

Shopping

Havaianas

This ultra-comfortable flip-flop made of rubber from the Amazon now comes in far fancier options than the ones made famous in its original line.

At the flagship store on Rua Oscar Freire, you can create a custom pair or just trick out an existing sandal.

The shop also sells custom-made socks for these stylish sandals.

Tools & Toys

Need a new yacht?

Perhaps your helicopter is out of fashion?

Located in the ultra high-end Shopping Cidade Jardins, this best of So Paulo shop has plenty of big-ticket toys to choose from.

Even if you’re not in the market for a new Sea Doo or Ferrari, it’s fun to look around.

Tools & Toys, Shopping Cidade Jardim, 3/F, Av. Magalhes Castro, Morumbi; +55 (11) 3552 4000

Boutique Daslu

If your shopping objectives include Brazilian fashion, the best place to go is Boutique Daslu, where everything “in” is in the store.

The Daslu brand’s original style reflects the high-end trends of the city.

Boutique Daslu, Shopping JK Iguatemi, Avenida Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Vila Olmpia; see website for additional locations; +55 (11) 3152 6601

SP Night Market

Every month this shopping event brings together a number of boutique outlets in one hip, best of So Paulo location.

The theme is fashion and food, with vendors selling clothing, jewelry, accessories, art, wine, gourmet snacks, sweet treats and more.

Expect a welcome cocktail (free with admission) and some live music to loosen up your wallet.

SP Night Market, location and times vary, see website for details; R$20 ($10); +55 (11) 97962-1547

Attractions

Ibirapuera Park

Often compared to New York’s Central Park, this attraction has all you’d want from a city park, including museums, planetarium, caf, concert hall and plenty of space to ride bikes, walk and play.

Famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the buildings throughout Parque Ibirapuera, which means more than just the trees are aesthetically pleasing.

More on CNN: The legendary buildings of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer

Warning: the park gets crowded on weekends.

If you like your space, weekday or early Saturday morning visits are best.

Museum Afro Brasil

To understand the deep heritage of the Brazilian people, you must examine centuries of its history.

The best place in So Paulo to do so is the Museum Afro Brasil.

From the enchanting to the disturbing, this collection of paintings, costumes, indigenous and religious artifacts, and photography will immerse you in the story of how African and indigenous people influenced all that is today’s Brazilian culture.

It takes a couple of hours or more if you want to see it all; the museum has multiple rooms and levels, plus exhibit space.

MuBE

The Museu Brasileiro da Escultura is home to works that represent the contemporary pulse of the Brazilian artist.

Graffiti, multimedia and giant three-dimensional structures are just some of the visual sustenance you can consume at the museum.

Attached to the exhibit space, which includes a sculpture garden, is a restaurant where you can pick up some delicious Brazilian snacks or a full meal.

The museum hosts theater productions, music performances and movies.

Museum of Futebol and Pacaembu Stadium

There’s a common passion that holds the country together as a united front against all who would oppose it — futebol.

You’ll have a hard time finding a Brazilian who doesn’t follow a team.

To get to know the most important Brazilian pastime, the Museu do Futebol is the place to visit.

Inside Pacaembu Stadium, the museum hosts a number of high-tech and interactive exhibits that lead you through the history of the sport.

Coffee in So Paulo

Brazil is by far the world’s largest producer of coffee.

The development of So Paulo has been heavily influenced by Brazil’s coffee boom in the early 1800s.

Today, coffee is a big part of the social scene.

Brazilians love the drink and the city has some exceptional places to enjoy a cup.

Coffee place to see and be seen.

Santo Gro

At this popular coffee house, it’s not just about the caf, but seeing and being seen.

The shop on Rua Oscar Freire is most often frequented by high-powered executives conducting private deals and ladies of luxury taking a break from their buying sprees.

You can buy sacks of the shop’s signature beans to take with you.

Santo Gro has a light menu and delicious juices.

It also offers a nice selection of wines, which means the shop stays busy from morning until the twilight hours.

Octavio Caf

Not your typical coffee house, Octavio’s structure is expansive and shaped like a giant coffee bean.

It’s really more of a full-fledged restaurant than a caf. It even has a happy hour.

The draw is the coffee and beans that come from Predregulho, Alta Mogiana, the region that’s famous for fabulous coffee.

The seating is set up for all sorts of scenarios, including business meetings or enjoying a cup alone.

Suplicy Caf

The place to jump-start your day… or afternoon… or evening.

Founder Marco Suplicy comes from a long line of people with interest in coffee, and his pleasant shops reflect his passion for the brew.

The best of So Paulo caf in Jardins caters to visitors to the shopping district.

In addition to a cup of coffee, you can get some smoothies and juices. Menu options are limited to what is in the glass case — mostly breads, sandwiches, quiches and desserts — but the shop’s blend of Brazilian beans is so savory you’ll want to grab a bag for the road.